Chapter 6: The Lost Ancient Laboratory Part 4
Natsu and Happy were somewhere in the forest connected to a railroad track from the Marshalling Yard.
"Natsu, do you smell anything?" Happy asked.
"Damn it, I was hoping to find something around here," Natsu complained as he threw his fist at a nearby tree smashing it in half.
"Whoa!" Happy exclaimed.
The fire dragon slayer quickly recollected himself. "That felt better...anyway, let's continue."
"Uh...sure," Happy followed his best friend.
Almost half hour later, the pair went further until they came out of a forest that headed to a small valley, and nearby was a river. "Wow, a small valley railroad." Happy said admiring the view.
"Yeah...kind of feels like home... except the tracks make me ill..." Natsu groaned.
"Insenstive as ever..." Happy teased.
"Hey!" Natsu pouted offendedly. "Anyway, let's keep walking." He then noticed a strange device hidden in the dirt. "What's this thing?" He crouched down and picked up the strange device.
"Looks like a fan or something," Happy guessed noticing the four fan sticks.
Natsu began to touch it until his fingers touched a small button which he didn't realize until the fan started to spin. "What the heck...?"
"What'd you do, Natsu?" Happy asked a little worried.
"How should I know?!" Natsu defended poorly.
The fan gave off a blue light which created a projection. "Looks like its showing a projection, but of what?" Happy wondered.
The projection took the shape of a familiar woman. Natsu and Happy gasped in realization.
"Hello...I'm Ada Vermillion..." The woman introduced herself.
"Ada...Vermillion..." Natsu and Happy said in unison.
"Yes, I'm the ancestor of the Vermillion Family's bloodline." The woman hologram said with a cheering smile. "I'm the owner as well as the boss of the Project: Tech Revival."
Natsu was scratching his head in confusion. "Eh...I don't get it..."
"Forgive him, science isn't Natsu's thing that he's a bit dense." Happy commented casually.
"Hey!" Natsu complained.
The woman giggled. "I see, no matter in my time some of the guys I knew were knuckleheads." She joked.
"Stop picking on me!" Natsu pouted stomping his feet like a child.
"Juvenile as ever as Lisanna would say," Happy laughed.
A serious took place on the woman's face. "Anyway, let's down to business, so I need you to listen about what happened here and additional story that rivals the gods."
Natsu sat down as Happy sat down in his lap.
Meanwhile
Erza's group resumed their fight against the ancient revived Machias Android Casear.
"Take-Over: Lionel Beast Soul Combination!" She changed into a steel armor plate with a yellow star on her forehead. Her face was that of an Armadillo. "Silver Armadillo Beast!" She turned into a ball. "Wendy!"
"Right behind ya!" Wendy gathered wind around her foot. "Armadillo Beast Sky Dragon's Kick Strike!" She delivered a kick right into Leone kicking her like a kickball and Leone went flying with incredible speed which slammed into the giant robot's armor mid-section.
"Not bad..." Caesar felt his giant cyborg machine being actually pushed back. "But, it won't be enough..." He pressed a few buttons. "Cyborg Ape: Body Payback!" A strong shockwave was unleashed from the body sending Leone flying away.
"Leone! Carla catch her!" Wendy yelled.
Carla did so while in human form. "Leone, are you okay?"
Leone grinned. "Yeah, it'll take more than that to keep me down."
Lucy recalled Loki and took another different Gold Zodiac key with a crab-like. "Open Gate of the Crab! Cancer!" Her key gave off a golden light and summoned out her spirit. "Hey, Miss Lucy..." He had his cool casual expression holding two pairs of scissors. "Star Dress: Cancer Form!" Lucy's attire changed wearing an outfit that appeared to be qipao albeit with long, wide sleeves and an obi, both present in a kimono. She held two pairs of normal blades reminiscent of a pair of scissors. "Cancer, using your pair of scissors might be useless against that monster's armor...however, I will still need you to help me."
"It's cool...babe," Cancer said understandably. "I suggest, we use our speed to our advantage, considering the size of this oversized tin can."
Lucy smiled confidently. "Right..." She dashed ahead along her spirit keeping up with his enhanced speed.
"Iron Dragon's Roar!" Gajeel(Chelsea)declared releasing the breath attack which landed a hit on the gorilla's metal torso leaving barely a scratch. "I have to admit that monster's armor is strong...probably stronger than the Empire's Supreme Imperial Arms." She knew her needles would have no effect either. "This guy must have a weak point somewhere...but finding it could be hard and we can't waste time thinking. We'll have to hope that we find it soon."
"Ice-Make: Cannon!" He created two ornate cannons from ice. "Fire!" He fired a large chunk of steel at the armor seemingly scratching the armor, but barely. "Damn it, that armor is strong."
Missile hatches opened on the giant robot gorilla's shoulder blades. "Machias Ape Missiles!" Multiple missiles were launched from the hatches.
"Water Super Cyclone!" Juvia summoned out a water cyclone but this time it was large than the one she used in the Naval battle. The large cyclone swallowed the missles and exploded inside.
"Wow, Juvia, way to go!" Gray cheered impressively.
"Oh my darling praised me!" Juvia cooed cupping her cheeks.
"Requip!" Erza changed her armor vastly. "Heaven's Wheel Armor!" She was covered in her plated armor. "Blumenbaltt!" She charged at the giant gorilla's armor slicing twice and flew past sending the swords into the enemy again.
"Did that work?" She asked landing on her feet and glancing only to be seen a glowing magic barrier.
"Hahahaha...I almost forgot that my cyborg ape can use magic barriers." Caesar informed. "As long as it has its protective barrier, your attacks are practically useless to me." Then the cyborg gorilla put its paw out front. "Railgun Palm Cannon!" A railgun energy ball was fired from its palm.
"Sky God's Bellow!" Chelia got in front of the attack unleashing her black wind breath attack which collided with the railgun cannonball.
The two attacks almost seemed matched until Caesar's cyborg gorilla's attack was able to push through. Moving quickly, Erza took out her two blades quickly using a little of her Armament Haki. "Chelia, move out of the way!"
Wasting no time, the young sky god slayer dodged to the side just as Erza dashed past her and used her two swords to cut the railgun energy ball in half.
Wendy went over to the sky god slayer. "Chelia, are you okay?" Chelia smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Caesar was seemingly impressed. "Well, I can see that you humans are capable of fighting."
"You're a fool to think that humans are weak as you think," Erza looked at the enemy with a darkened demonic stare. "I will not allow to do harm to my friends...the people I call my family!"
Despite the threat and declaration, Caesar's smirk widened a bit. "I will enjoy sending you and your friends to hell either way!"
At the Lake
"Let's try this again! Flute Magic: Tremor Hell Noise!" Pirantis played his flute releasing a distorted yet loud sound wave toward his enemies.
"Earth Magic: Dirt Wall!" Tigress slammed her fists into the ground creating a large rock-like wall blocking the sound waves but it showed signs of cracking. "Crap should've seen that coming!" She cursed.
"This is bad, defense moves seem to be less effective against that guy's flute," Usagi thought observing the situation. "Not only that, he can teleport in a second and reappear in a flash. This guy has got more powerful magic than I thought." He then looked in Angler's direction. "That guy's magic is stronger...I get the feeling that beam was just a demonstration of his power."
Other Angler fishmen androids resumed their assault and charged toward the wizards.
Kosaka put his hands above his head and a magic circle appeared. "Wind Magic: Super Tornado!" A large tornado emerged from the sky and swallowed the fishman androids.
"Not bad...but, you forget about my flute's ability." Pirantis played his flute once more freezing the tornado into ice thus stopping it.
"Crap, not again," Kosaka cursed under his breath.
"Time for...Electro Brilliant Charge!" Temukai's body was enveloped in tense amount of electricity and slammed his body into Pirantis unexpected.
Pirantis skidded his feet against the ground stopping himself. "That was quite the speed for a buffalo. This fight could be more fun than I'd expected." He put his flute to mouth. "However...I got other moves to show...Flute Magic: Freezing Cyclone!" He released a icy wind from the flute and took the shape of a cyclone that was made of ice.
"Oh crap!" Kosaka cursed startled at the size of the ice-like cyclone.
"Two Sword Style: Lightning Pillar Double Slash!" With lightning speed, Usagi went through the cyclone cutting it apart and exploded. He landed on the other side.
Pirantis snarled viciously. "Hey, no fair!"
Kosaka fell on his butt with a disbelief expression. "Wow...Usagi is...so strong."
Cana grinned. "Just goes to show you how strong the Mink Tribe is." She held her cards.
Angler was stunned but impressed. "Well, looks like the Mink Tribe has gotten a lot stronger than I thought."
"Now take this!" Pirantis threw his chain and managed to bind the rabbit mink. "Got ya!"
"Usagi!" Kosaka exclaimed in concern but before he could make a move he felt Cana's hand stop him. "Wait...he's got this."
"Now take this...Chain Electrocution!" Pirantis' chain unleashed a strong electric shock seemingly hurting Usagi at first.
Usagi held up his right sword gathering a large amount of electricity. "Sword Magic: Thunder Saber Blast!" His sword released a thunderbolt violently shocking Pirantis' chain thus destroying the weapon.
Pirantis was sent rolling and looked at his destroyed weapon. He snarled viciously. "I will tear you apart rabbit Mink with my bare fins!" He quickly dashed toward Usagi. "Sword Magic: Lightning Flash!" He dashed toward the Piranha Machias Android. "Two Sword Style Rabbit Style: X-Cross!" He was on the other side and left an X-gash on Pirantis' metal torso.
"Argh!" Pirantis screamed in pain tumbling over and lying motionless on the ground.
"Whoa, he beat him..." Kosaka gawked with a gaping mouth.
Temukai smirked. "No surprise, he's been training hard and he's gotten a lot stronger since."
Angler began to approach the group. "I must admit you did a find job fighting against my second in command. Sadly, he was cunning to take down one of your pals. However, he has lost. Now its time my turn and fighting me isn't going to be easy."
"Earth Magic: Fissure Fist!" Tigress slammed her fist into the ground a large crack in the ground and violently shaking. The attack resulted a fissure heading straight for Angler.
In the island's underwater tunnel.
Arista and her group continued through the tunnel. "To think this tunnel goes further into the island than we thought." Arista said intrigued. "This is a remarkable tunnel."
"As long as it doesn't cave in on our us," Thorn whispered a bit nervous.
Purupururpuru
Angela turned to see the transponder snail. "Looks like someone is calling us." She went took hold of the receiver. "Hello, this is Angela speaking."
"Angela, this is Lisanna...we got trouble!" This got the others to look while Arista stopped the mini-shark sub.
At the Docking Bay
The plesiosaurus machias continued its assault on the Water Fairy.
"I'm keeping my barrier as long as I can!" Joan stated feeling a little blue but stood strong.
"Keep it up as long as you can!" Mest encouraged the angel while keeping the ship steady.
Levy was feeling utterly nervous. "Let's hope we can keep this ship intact."
Mao on the deck's floor. "Hey Merraid, do you sense the enemy?"
Merraid stood calmly. "Yes, the enemy is somewhere in the ocean no doubt. However, the enemy is just remaining still but it continues to assault the ship from beneath."
"Probably knows we can only defend on the ship..." Levy presumed.
Gilderda began to stretch her arms out. "That maybe...but, that bastard is in for a surprise." Mao quickly stood and grabbed the maid's arm. "Wait, you can't go out there...you'll be killed!"
Gilberda didn't look at the young middle school girl. "Don't worry..." She turned her head and smiled sweetly at her. "I'll be fine cutie." She then looked at Joan. "Joan, allow me to pass through the barrier, I have a plan to get the enemy from beneath."
"Wait, you'll need this!" Fujika was seen and threw a bubble coral. "Use this to breath under the water just in case."
Gilderda smiled and winked at the amazon girl. "Thanks babe." With that Joan opened a hole big enough for Gilberda to get through.
Merraid smiled confidently. "Good luck, Gilberda."
"Guys, I manage to get ahold of Arista's group!" Lisanna called waving her arm. "They're on their way!"
At Punk Hazard
After Brownbeard is defeated Nami and Usopp are subdued by Caesar Clown's Gas Gas Fruit and takes the kids. Zoro and his group go through the remaining red smiley blobs.
Chopper is officially done with and finds out that Caesar makes an announcement about the Smiley blobs which draws a lot of attention to the other pirates living in the New World. Caesar arrives at the research and guides the children back inside. Two suited men go to take the children back to the biscuit room and start to see the truth and panic. Nami and Usopp survive and wake up.
Vergo and Monet have one more chat with Caesar about the experiment and their next move. Caesar had a question and approached the prisoners. "Hey Straw Hat, I was told that you came to the New World with other pirates..."
Luffy squinted his eyes at the gas pirate clown. "..."
"Now, now, don't give me that look, I just want to ask a simple question."
Law had a pretty good guess of what pirates the scientist clown was referring to. "Are you talking about the Fairy Tail Pirates?"
"Shurshuroshuro...that's right Law." The gas scientist clown said with his distant laugh. "But, what I am seeing right now, you guys came alone."
Smoker glanced at the Straw Hat. "So the rumors were true."
Tashigi was intrigued herself but didn't say a word.
Robin gave the clown an emotionless yet rough look. "Why do you seem so interested?"
"From what we heard, those other friends of yours caused just as much chaos as you Straw Hats did," Vergo approached with his hands behind his back until he held up a newspaper. "Former marine Gray Fullbuster opposes the Celestial Dragons and punches one on Pucci Island. Plus, there was a pirate that resembled Red Haired Shanks which came the conclusion that Shanks has a lost brother."
Monet was looking through her journal. "That's right, plus, there are two young ladies known as the Celestial Sisters. Their name has put quite a tainted stain on the Celestial Dragon's title."
"Hm...sounds like those Celestial Dragon scumbags are getting what's coming to them," Smoker thought. "Although..."
F
A few days ago.
Smoker and Tashigi have a chat with an admiral on her ship over the transponder. "According to the newspaper, there are two girls that have the name Celestial. Not sure if they're related to the Celestial Dragons, but, their title has been badly tarnished."
"Admiral...Ishio, this seems out of character for a Celestial Dragon, I've never known one to oppose their own family."
"I agree sir, the fact these girls are called Celestial Sisters is just a title or just coincidence, at least, that's what I think,"
A low grunt was heard from the transponder snail. "Out of character or coincidence, if these young girls were to cause more trouble, their actions might harm the Celestial Dragons' name. Don't get me wrong, I don't like the Celestial Dragons more than anyone does. However, our orders are to do what we must regardless. That includes former Vice-Admiral Gray Fullbuster, he'll need to face punishment, but...don't tell anyone I said this, but, I'm happy to hear someone has the guts to oppose a Celestial Dragon."
F
"I must admit that I'd never expect one of our own to oppose a Celestial Dragon or an Admiral to be proud of such a thing," Smoker thought deep inside feeling fired up.
"What is your damn point?" Luffy's voice was heard looking pissed off.
Despite the response, Vergo kept his composure. "Our point young man, is that we want to know where they are and I suggest you choose your words carefully."
"Screw you...we don't know where they went!" Luffy cursed at the vice-admiral.
"He's got quite the mouth," Monet giggled.
"Look we don't know where they went, they just disappeared," Robin fibbed.
Caesar gritted his teeth looking impatient. "I don't believe you morons! I can tell that you guys are holding back on me!"
"Well, I got more ways of making you talk...but for now, I'll spare you brats for now," Caesar walked away. "Monet, Vergo, by the way, I must advise you Law..." Vergo held up a cube with Law's heart. "You see, this, it's your heart. Monet overheard your plan and informed me."
"Heheheheh..." A small chuckle was heard from Law. He sat up with a smirk. "I suppose I blame myself for letting my guard on that sectary of yours. But, to think someone like you come up with something smart despite being...a dumbass!"
That remark provoked Caesar so much that he slammed his fist against the heart. "Ahhhh!" Law yelped in pain tumbling over in pain.
"Undone by your power...such stupidity..." Smoker commented coldly. "By the way where's my heart?"
"Do you mean this?" Caesar held up another heart in a cube. "I would be smart before..."
"Master, I pulled the video feed as you instructed," Monet informed.
"Shuroshuroshuro...luck is on your side Smoker and as for you Straw Hat, I'll question you later," Caesar walked away and approached a big screen that came down from the ceiling. "Now let's see it."
The video came on screen and revealed a giant piece of candy wrapped up. "That's candy, it's huge!" Luffy exclaimed.
"This isn't good..." Smoker said looking troubled.
Caesar's video broadcast through the entire New World.
Zoro's group was chased by the big giant blob and they all came across some of Caesar's men who left the giant candy and fled leaving their suits behind. Just as Zoro's group ran past the large wagon that Caeser's men left behind, the giant blob smiley consumed the giant candy despite Caesar's order not to swallow it.
Regardless, Caesar had his pet blob dissolve its body revealing its true method as a special drug to convert the entire content of Smiley's body into a "perfect" weapon of destruction. At first, the creature let out a painful howl for a few minutes before going silent. Then its body turned purple releasing a purple-like gas. The pirates and Caeser's men fled in horror.
The gas manages to spread and envelop Caeser's men and petrify them all much to the Straw Hats and the navy's horror.
Brownbeard recovers and teams up with Nami and Usopp to help save. Zoro's group chases after another artificial dragon to get a ride to escape the poison gas. Chopper attempts to figure out the next move, but, he receives a hidden message and reads it. Luffy and the others are put outside in the cage just as the other G-5 are exposed to the outside. Despite the situation, Luffy and his crew along with Law are determined to continue their plan and capture Caesar. Law reveals he was able to sneak a sea prism chain with a normal one and free himself. He uses his Devil Fruit to switch Smoker and Tashigi back to their bodies.
Law makes a deal with the two marines that he will let them go as long as they forget about what he and Tashigi saw and give them permission to capture Vergo. Smoker reluctantly agrees to do so. Franky goes to check on the Sunny.
Sometime later, Zoro and Nami along with their friends reunite Luffy and Law in the lab.
Law explains to everyone a harbor that leads to the ocean and advises them to go there. Smoker orders his men to get the children and some of the Straw Hats along with Kinemon and Brownbeard. Luffy and Robin have a secret chat. Then later, Luffy goes to find Caesar while Law handles something else.
B
Ace and his group were in a virtual realm where they were shown a scene from the past of the lost island.
"As I mentioned Ada Vermillion was one of the famous scientists. She discovered this island and the ancient history of it with her team. During her youth she came to this world which was left by the ancient ones known as the Tech."
"We heard about them. The Ancient Ones were also a group of five clans that created the four gateways too." Ace summarized.
"That's correct, as you might have guessed, Ada comes from the world where magic and science exist," Maya informed as the others gasped.
"What?!" Ace, Gajeel, and Hinata exclaimed in surprise.
"Woof...talk about unexpected," Brox said taken aback by the detail.
Lily had his arms crossed. "To think that Mavis's ancestor once came from the world where Touma and his friends live."
"Ada had discovered the gateway within an old laboratory that was lost back after the Ancient Ones were discovered by the first ancient one named Annabelle."
"Wait, how do you know about the Heartfilla Family?" Gajeel asked.
"Annabelle was once part of Ada's team that offered to help in the exploration mission that was explored by Ada and her group. Ada and her group took over the island rebuilding the buildings and restoring power to the generators. Once that was done, more scientists and magicians offered to help in the next step of the island."
Hinata had a good idea of what the Machias Android was going to say next. "I think I know where this is going, Ada was able to gather a lot more scientists and magicians to help in her research, right?"
"Did most of Ada's team come from the world of magic and science?" Hinata asked raising her hand.
"Pretty much, that said, a few scientists are from this world," Maya replied as a sudden serious yet sad expression showed on her face.
"I'm sure you know the things were left behind by Professor Vermillion, right?"
Ace had an idea of what she meant. "Yes, the destruction but I'm sure the others have found other things that shed some light on what happened here."
"Yes, I've been watching your friends using my magic," Maya informed as the others stared at her in shock. "Listen carefully, I don't have much time to explain before the enemy that is controlling us will find what I'm telling you." She put her hand and changed the scenery where it showed her and another guy with silver hair. "As you might have guessed what I did here. I was the elite fighter as well as the personal guard of Professor Vermillion and her team. That guy was my assistant, his name is Ryuga a Machias Android like me. It's because of his magic power that he was to lend me that gave me the chance to speak to you guys in this realm."
"Is this Ryuga also a prisoner on this island?" Hinata asked.
"What enemy are we facing, that's the main question," Gajeel said in a grunt tone.
"Yes, I will show your friend's situation," Maya put her hands out once more changing the scenery and showing three areas where their friends were.
Ace and the others couldn't believe what they were seeing. "Holy crap, are those the revived Machias?!" Gajeel questioned with wide eyes.
"Yes, you see, one of Professor Vermillion's team members named Ritter created a program, rather a virus that would steal other people's data."
"Seriously?" Hinata questioned stunned at this revelation.
Maya nodded her head. "At first, Ritter seemed to accept Vermillion's refusal but sometime later..." The scenery changed showing the battle from 800 years ago.
Boom Boom Boom Boom
The islanders, the scientists, and magicians were running through the streets and areas of the island while being attacked by androids.
"This is...horrible..." Hinata spoke while keeping her hand over her mouth.
"Ritter found a way to insert the virus into one of our supercomputers which gives the entire scenery of the island. In other words, the supercomputers help see what is on the island day or night." Maya explained. "As you also know the virus managed to take control of the entire computer systems controlling each android that was put together."
Gajeel still wasn't getting one thing. "What about those Ancient Machias, how are they being controlled if they have a mind of their own?"
"That's the thing, the virus was programmed to reprogram any computerized system or anything that runs on technology such as the Ancient Tech." Maya closed her eyes as she said that. "Don't forget, the Tech may be living beings, but, they're still part machine so it would be easy for any computer virus to plague them. Although there were a few that were able to overcome the virus, most were killed in the battle you see."
"Let me guess, you and this Ruija guy were two of these Machias that were able to fight off the virus." Lily presumed.
Maya looked at the black Exceed. "That is correct, the others were able to fight the virus off because they didn't have the time to create a program in their bodies or at least learn how to. When Ritter realized this, he knew his plan would go into failure and decided to order the controlled androids and Ancient Tech to capture us."
Gajeel looked back at the scenery. "From the look of things, I'm guessing that Ritter succeeded in capturing you both."
"Unfortunately yes," Maya clenched her hands tightly. "However to make sure things wouldn't be for nothing. Professor Vermillion gathered her team and ordered some of them to evacuate the islanders and other scientist staff as well as her husband and daughter." The scene changed to Ada Vermilion and her husband talking while seeing her holding their baby girl. "Eric, listen to me. Go to the ship and escape from here. This island is doomed, no matter how much we fight our people will die and our child will be likely to get caught in the crossfire."
"Ada, no, I will not leave you! Our daughter needs her mother...you need to be by her side!" Adam pleaded holding the baby.
"Please...my love! There isn't time to argue...I need to stay and save Maya and Ryuga from the hell they're in!" Ada proclaimed with determination. "On top of that, if this virus overloads the system it'll cause a massive destructive explosion! Not only that, it'll be so powerful that anything that's near 5-mile radius will be caught in the blast!"
"What's the point of you staying behind?!" Adam questioned looking impatient but mostly out of concern.
"C'mon, you know Ada would be doing this if she had a reason," A man with blond hair approached Adam.
Dracon Malfon
Age: 20's
Scientist Tech Hacker
Esper: Super Hack
"With my abilities I should be able to hack into the system and buy us some time to get the islanders away from being caught in the explosion!"
"I agree...also, with abilities, we should be able to fight any of the other prototype androids that'll attack us,"
Jeremy Melton
Magician Saint
Magic: Sainthood
"Yes, we're not just scientists and magicians from Academy City, we know how to kick some major ass and most one that needs a good ass kicking is Ritter, that jerk will pay for his betrayal!"
"Only two guys...that sounds too reckless," Gajeel commented with his arms crossed but a grin was shown on his face. "Regardless, they got spunk."
Ace chuckled lightly. "That's for sure."
"Eventually, the island continues to go through the battle. Ada and her two teammates continued their way back to the laboratory's headquarters as the one you entered." Maya continued showing the way of the inside. "However, a number of the androids appeared at headquarters so Jeremy and Dracon stayed by the entrance to give Ada time to do what she needed to do in the base."
The scenery changed into the same room Ace's group went to. Hinata was the first to speak. "Hey, that's the same interior room we just arrived in."
"That's right, Ada managed to gain some control of the console and found out that Ryuga and I were captured in a hidden chamber where the two of us were two capsules our bodies being used to control the supercomputer room using the virus he inserted. Seeing what she needed to do, she called Dracon to go to the super computer room that was on the seventh floor. Luckily for him, backup magicians and espers were on their way to assist in the fight."
Dracon was seen running down the stairway to the seventh floor and came to the supercomputer room. "As you can Dracon used his Super Hacking skills to make some passages through the virus and give him the chance to exterminate the virus. At first, Dracon almost did so but something unexpected happened..." On the supercomputer's main frame, a VI facial digital face appeared. "Foolish mortals...if you think hacking into my systems was smart then you are just naive lowly creatures."
"Is that A.D.I?" Ace asked.
"No...somehow the virus that infected our dear AI friend reprogrammed her and changed into something else. Not only that, the virus seemed to have gained some intelligence and started to use our tech against us."
The scenery changed as giant robots that resembled animals just came to life with glowing white eyes. "Crap, those robots are huge!" Hinata exclaimed.
"I know this is a virtual scene from the past, but, I get an eerie feeling seeing this sight," Bronx whispered looking disturbed.
"So, A.D.I did all of this or just the virus?" Lily questioned.
"Technically, the virus did, Ritter's virus was more dangerous yet effective than we originally thought," Maya replied looking regretful. "Things took a twist when the self-destruct program was activated."
Tense rose among the group.
"Hold on...the self-destruct program was activated...but that means..." Gajeel began to say with wide eyes.
"The island would be destroyed not only that its explosion would be strong enough... as in 10 MT. If that happened the ships wouldn't be able to clear the explosion in time." Maya looked utterly frightened.
"How did you get guys left behind and how did Ada's family survive?" Gajeel asked almost in demand.
"I used my telepath magic to talk to Ada, I told her of one plan that could help but...she would have to use the Fairy Sphere spell to neutralize the bomb's shockwaves."
"I get it...the explosion would be trapped within the fairy sphere protecting the ocean as well as the escaped islanders." Ace summarized.
"Yes, however the virus didn't Ada's plan to work so it called forth more of the machines to destroy all of the citizens that were escaping. Dracon used his skills to malfunction the giant battle robots thus temporarily stopping their assault."
The scene changed.
Ada was scene being confronted by Ritter who held a laser gun. "Damn it, you ruined my dream to collect the data we need to become invisible so that we'll become the most powerful people in the world!"
"Our project is to bring people together and work to discover wonderful things we can share with the world! Not use it to conquering!" Ada argued furiously.
"You don't get it! The World government and the higher-ups don't agree with our terms! They don't give a rat's ass about our desire or dreams! They care only about world domination!" Ritter yelled loudly. "So, we need to collect the data to create a world where we rule! That way we ensure that wars won't occur ever again!"
Gajeel narrowed his eyes at the scientist. "That guy is insane..."
"He's fearful of the World government and the higher-ups of Academy City." Lily agreed.
"Sounds like this Ritter guy was just afraid..." Hinata commented.
"Still, what he did was stupid, he let his fear of the enemies shake him and caused him to do something so drastic," Ace said.
"I know that...I too feared the World government and the Higher-ups of Academy City. I knew of their desires and in time things could get dark but as long as there are good people that do what is right for peace then things won't be so bad for the future." Ada said her behavior suddenly turned to calm and softness in her tone too. "However, that doesn't change the fact that you betrayed us and for what...because you were scared of being killed!" She sobbed in anger and sadness as she started to pound on her friend's chest slowly. "You monster! You turned on your friends...the islanders...and my family! I was forced to leave them to return to this island!"
"I'm...sorry..." Ritter sobbed showing a slight of guilt and regret.
"Not so fast..." The corrupted A.D.I spoke and appeared on the big supercomputer screen. "Sadly, this is where your tales end." Electrical sparks were released in the room electrocuting the walls and the floor along with Ritter and Ada. A digital data lifeform emerges from the computer's screen taking the shape of a beast.
"Holy crap, did that just come out of the computer?" Gajeel questioned in disbelief.
"I've seen this kind of thing in animated TV shows and movies, a digital monster that was created by scientists and taking the shape of a digital humanoid. Although, this looks more dangerous." Hinata explained.
Ritter and Ada were caught in digital-like tentacles.
"You get out your hands off Mavis' ancestor!" Gajeel roared as turning his hand into an iron club but the attack went through.
"Sorry, but, this is a virtual scene from the past, so you can't touch or contact the people," Maya reminded.
"I won't die like this..." Ada closed her eyes as a golden light began to envelop her body.
"That spell...is she using..." Lily began to say.
Gajeel was worried. "Damn it, has she even mastered the spell?"
"Fortunately yes, it took a lot of effort to master the Fairy Law...in fact, she was the first to master it in the scientist group," Maya informed smiling softly with her eyes hidden by her hair.
"What about her other team members?" Lily asked though had a feeling what the answer could be.
"They perished, and used the last remaining power they had to defeat the giant robots and the androids," Maya answered.
"I invoke...Fairy Law..." Ada chanted as her eyes glowed a golden light.
The light that enveloped her body grew brighter and brighter until the entire room was blocked by the golden light.
The digital virus entity was left motionless on the floor. The power to the computer was flickering but still activated. "Now's my chance..." Ada went back to the console and pressed a few buttons at a fast pace like a professional. "Super Computer's backup system only activates for three minutes...activate kill switch..."
"Kill Switch..." Hinata gulped knowing what the famous professor was planning to do. "Normally, this island would sink to the bottom of the ocean, but, that's not what I intend to do..."
Ace and the others are puzzled about what Mavis' ancestor meant by that.
Ada was about to press the button until something on her original cell phone rang. "Oh, hello this is Ada speaking."
"Ada, my love, what's going on, I can't get in contact with Dracon or Jeremy.." Her husband questioned in a great concerning tone.
Ada didn't reply which made her husband even more worried. "Ada, are you there? Just what the heck is going on there?!"
"Listen up...I know this is a lot to ask...but I'm afraid that our friends are lost...I'm still on the island and got to see this through..." Ada replied a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Jeremy and Dracon are gone...but, wait, what do you mean by "seeing through this"?" Her husband asked his voice trembling with more worry.
"Listen my darling...I discovered something and realized there's been a change of plans..." Ada began to explain the situation including Ritter's fate.
"No...that can't...be..." The husband was in disbelief. "The World Goverment...the High Ups from Academy City...they..."
"Yes, I'm afraid so...though, still what Ritter is still unacceptable, but, this isn't the time to hold any grudges against his choices. I need to use the Fairy Sphere Spell...usually this would require a lot of wizards...but thanks to the laboratory's magic energy, I can use it that seal the island in the ocean..."
"No...Ada...please, there's got to be another way! You can't leave me and our child!" Her husband pleaded practically brought to tears.
"I know this is hard for you my love...but, you need to be there for our daughter...she'll need guidance...she'll have her path to follow and perhaps someday...whoever is left of our bloodline...will find there to this world...just as Annabelle found the Ancient Ones and the other worlds..." Ada sobbed a little tears faintly seen pouring through her eyes. "Draken...I enjoyed our time together...as well as giving birth to our daughter...I believe our child will continue our legacy as long as they can and whatever path they'll choose, I know they'll have a bright future and gather a lot of people just as we gathered a lot of friends."
"Ada..."
"I love you...Derek...I know that you'll raise our child with love and care...please take care and leave this place and go to Earthland...there will Annabell will surely help you in any way she can..." Ada continued as she felt the injuries in her take her life away slowly. "Uh...cough...cough..." She took a picture of herself with a cute yet kind smile. "Give this to our child...know that I love her with all my heart and my last advice to her is "Don't give into despair move forward with a smile"." She slammed her fist on a red button. "Fairy Sphere Shield Activate!"
The entire island was covered in yellow-golden light similar to the Fairy Sphere.
"Holy crap...!" Gajeel exclaimed in disbelief.
The Island began to sink into the ocean as the bomb blew up the entire island.
The evacuation ship was departing and Ada's husband was seen on the deck holding the baby as he dropped on his knees. "Ada...my love..." He felt so hopeless until he looked at his daughter. "No...I can't let my daughter see this..." He wiped his tears away with his arm. "Ada...I will honor your memories as well as your last wish...in the meantime...I will raise our child to grow to be a strong woman!"
The scenery disappeared.
"As you can imagine, Derek arrived in the Earthland with the islanders and went to Annabelle to explain the tragic events," Maya concluded. "Eventually, Derek raised his daughter with love and guided her alongside Annabelle and others who remained loyal to Professor Ada and her team that died. Centuries pass after the dragon wars and the extinction of the Ancient Ones including the dragons. As you know Annbelle lost her life in the war against the dragons but her bloodline continued."
Hinata was stunned at the last ending of this story of Mavis' ancestor's story. "Quite a story...to think that Mavis' ancestor played a big part in the Gateways. I wonder if Mavis herself knew about this."
"I doubt it...considering even she didn't knew about the Gateways...until the war against Alvarez." Gajeel commented with his arms crossed.
"I agree, it's possible the knowledge of the Gateways wasn't explained to her in time as a child and remember, the Gateway's existence was kept secret by the Magic Council..." Ace added. "Although, some probably did know about them but didn't bother looking into their existence."
"Either way, what can we do to stop this old AI from making its comeback?" Lily asked.
Maya had that answer already figured out. "I know a way...I shall escort you to the center of the core the digital realm, but, know this the virus will do what it needs to stop you."
Ace grinned. "If that virus wants to stop us...bring it...I won't allow some computer virus to stop me from fulfilling my promise to two friends I made in Wano!"
Hinata giggled with a smile. "Same here, we're here to help so the least we can help this island just and if Mavis' ancestor asked us, would we help."
Brox barked and stood proudly. "I will assist in any way I can!"
Gajeel did his trademark laugh.
Lily nodded his head. "Yeah, we shall stop this monstrous virus from hurting more people."
Maya smiled happily tears pouring down her cheeks. "T-thank you..." Quickly wiping her tears and flew away as the others followed her.
Ace had one more thought on his mind. "Otama...Yamato...keep waiting for me and my crew...we'll be there someday."
Natsu and Happy find a device that projects a hologram of Ada Vermillion and explains the island's history as well an ancient story one that rivals the gods in the World of Pirates, but, what does it mean?
Angler's second in command Pirantis was defeated by Usagi. Now, the Angler Fishman Machias Android General is about to face Usagi and the rest of group, will they prevail.
Caesar''s giant robot is proving to be a formidable foe, but, Erza and her team still continue their brawl against him.
With the history of the island revealed, Ace and his group follow Maya to the center of the digital realm. The main question is, will they reach the core in time and stop the virus from controlling the Ancient Tech? Find out next time.
End of chapter
